Category: Revelation

Dear Church in Thyatira – and You

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 34-36

POETRY: Psalm 119:49-56

NEW TESTAMENT: Revelation 2:18-29

Rev. 2:18-29 – Letter to Thyatira

Welcome to the fourth letter!

While we don’t hear much about Thyatira outside of these passages, we do get a little sneak peak at it in Acts during one of Paul’s trips where he meets Lydia, and she and her whole family are baptized in the truth of Jesus Christ.  From there, we are told Lydia offered a place for Paul to stay (Acts 16:13-15).  While we don’t know the number of days Paul stayed with Lydia, it is likely that the believers reached during this time were the ones to eventually establish the church in Thyatira.  While this isn’t incredibly relevant to our main point, I do think it’s pretty amazing that just one family made such an impact in their community!

Now getting into the praise Thyatira received:  The church here was doing good work, and it seems that they were improving in this throughout their existence too!  They are commended for their love, faith, service, and perseverance (v.19).  This was a group of active Christians who clearly cared deeply for their community.  They had a big focus on outreach and growth.  Both great things to aspire for!

Now comes to their correction… Thyatira had allowed a false prophet, a “Jezebel” (think the Biblical “Karen”… not really their name, but the stereotype that goes with it), into their church and followed her teachings, even into sinful acts such as sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols (v.20).  It is possible that this church was so focused on the external look of creating a community where no one was pushed away, that they instead let in someone(s) that became like a cancerous growth in their congregation.  Rather than confronting someone with wrong teaching, the church allowed false prophets a space to teach that incorrect doctrine, ultimately dragging down the church as a whole.

In this letter, Christ reminds the church, and the false prophets, that those who go off the path of Christ’s teaching will perish, but there is still an opportunity for repentance (v.21-22).  In verse 23, it’s written that Jesus will repay each one in the church according to their deeds.  Now, for a church that was commended for their deeds, this may not seem too concerning.  However, within the context of the same verse, it appears this is more of a warning for these Christians.  Even in their good deeds, if they have been actively following a false prophet and engaging in actions they know to be sinful according to Scripture and Christ’s teachings, those deeds will also be repaid.  I think this is Jesus taking a moment to remind Christians that without obedience to God’s expectations Jesus taught, the result will still be death, no matter how good their deeds were.  Interestingly, there seems to be a group within the church here that has been defying the false teachings, and Jesus urges them to continue to hold on until he returns (v.24-25).  Just a little light within that grim reminder!

That harsh correction also comes with a very exciting promise for everyone just a few verses later.  Jesus reminds these believers that those who do his will to the end will be given authority over nations and a morning star (v.28).  These promises are hopeful, exciting, and rewarding!  

In our modern day, it can be just as easy to allow false teachings to slip into our churches and our lifestyles as in the time of Thyatira.  This makes it that much more imperative for each individual believer to have a strong foundation of Biblical knowledge to test teachings with!  Church leaders also have an important task of addressing false teachings inside the church appropriately and timely.  We all must use discernment to evaluate the messages we hear inside (and outside) our churches to ensure they truly align with the teachings of Jesus.  And if or when they don’t, we must have the courage to call it out!  Always remembering that everyone is created by God, and given the same chance for repentance as you and I.  It’s no easy task, but the reward makes it all worth it.

Reflection Questions:

  • Have you experienced a time where you had to use discernment in confronting sin in your life, or in the life of another believer?  What went well in that situation, and what could have improved?
  • In our Psalms passage today, we read that David finds comfort during suffering because God’s promise preserves his life, and he finds comforts in God’s laws.  When you consider the laws and Jesus’ teachings, do you find comfort in obeying them?  Are there any that are challenging for you?  
  • In our Jeremiah verses for today, we see an example of God’s response to disobedience to His laws for the sake of “freedom” from them.  How has this concept remained the same throughout history?  How has this concept changed since Jesus?

-Sarah Johnson

sglcalendar2024Download

Dear Pergamum – and You

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 32-33

POETRY: Psalm 119:41-48

NEW TESTAMENT: Revelation 2:12-17

Rev. 2:12-17 – Letter to Pergamum

Hello again!

While Pergamum (or Pergamos) is not mentioned directly in other places of Scripture, it is located in the region Mysia, which Paul traveled through on his way to Troas (Acts 16:7-8).  Some scholars believe this is when the church would have “picked up” the Christian beliefs and began around this time, and may have been strengthened by Paul’s later travels to Ephesus.  Pergamum was a very lofty, worldly place that served as a temple for many pagan gods, including the temple for Zeus (AKA “Satan’s throne”).  It was a challenging place to have belief in the One True God, and His son, Jesus Christ.

For this reason, Jesus commending the church for remaining true to his name is all the more powerful.  This is a group of people who day in and out were faced with false gods and pressured to worship them.  Even through martyrdom experiences, they held fast to the name of Jesus (v.13).  What a compliment and praise to receive from the Savior!

BUT, unfortunately, the praise Jesus gives quickly turns to correction.  Despite continuing to believe in Jesus, many believers did not hold fast to the doctrine Jesus taught, and tolerated the ungodly practices in their church.  They did not maintain the command to worship no other god, except God himself.  Instead, they permissed to teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans (v.14).  Really, what this means is this church had compromised the teachings of Jesus for what the world around them was teaching.  They accepted the teachings of false gods and allowed them in their lives.  And Jesus calls them out!  He tells them to repent, or else face the sword of his mouth (v.16), which we know is the Truth of who he is and his Father!

In comparison with the church in Ephesus, Pergamum seems to be on the opposite end of the spectrum.  Ephesus struggled being too far away from their community to speak the truth in love, whereas Pergamum struggled to be set apart from the world and speak the truth at all.  

Again, Jesus reminds this church that this message is for anywho who has ears.  He writes to them about the promise of hidden manna (being filled with Jesus, the bread of life), a white stone (a clean slate free of judgment), and a new name (an identity in Christ).  Those who not only remained faithful, but also remained set apart for Christ, were given a satisfying, safe, community to be part of.  

In today’s modern day, it can be far too easy for believers to compromise the biblical truths they know for what the world has to offer, for the sake of wanting to belong or be comfortable, or just not ruffle any feathers.  Yet, we are called to more, with a reward that is so much more than anything anyone in this world could even come close to comparing to.  Our society yearns to be satisfied, safe, and accepted.  But the only way to truly experience those things is when we cling tightly to Jesus Christ and his teachings, and fully put on our new identity in him.  When we withhold the truth from anyone, we are not truly loving them the way Christ loves his church.  Jesus loved the church in Pergamum enough to call them to repentance.  Do you have the same love for those around you?

Reflection Questions:

  • We know that the world markets false satisfaction, safety, and acceptance today.  How can you ensure you are equally marketing the truth about Jesus in a loving way?
  • One of the best ways to proclaim the truth of Jesus to nonbelievers is through our actions.  Are you acting set apart, and loving, the way Jesus calls us to?  What can you do today to live out the truth you know, and show the world around you?
  • Our reading in Psalms today talks about delighting in God’s commands, something Pergamum struggled with acting out.  Is this something you find yourself naturally doing?  How can you work to love the commands God gives us?

-Sarah Johnson

sglcalendar2024Download

Dear Church in Smyrna – and You

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 30-31

POETRY: Psalm 119:33-40

NEW TESTAMENT: Revelation 2:8-11

Rev. 2:8-11 – Letter to Smyrna

Welcome back to our second letter!

Looking at some historical context of Smyrna is a bit harder than other churches, because it is only mentioned here in these verses.  However, we do know that the church of Smyrna is the only church still thriving in the modern day.  Reportedly, more Christians have lived in this area than any other Turkish city in the world.  This is quite impressive, considering this region has experienced repeated wars, massacres, earthquakes, and plague since they first received this letter.

Smyrna was a very rich area, populated by Roman and Jewish-born people.  Unfortunately, Christians were viewed as “cult followers” and often banned from being able to work, purchase needed items, and often faced social or physical persecution.  This really highlights what Jesus was speaking of in verse 9 when he described their poverty and afflictions.  So how could they possibly be rich?  Well, because just like all of us who are baptized, they had the promise of life, and avoiding hurt in the second death (v. 10-11).

From historical records, it has been concluded that a pastor at the church in Smyrna by the name of Polycarp, refused to worship Caesar and renounce the name of Christ.  Because of his choice, he was burned at the stake.  From these records, it is reported that when commanded to reject Christ, he stated “Eighty-six years have I served Him, and in nothing hath He wronged me; and how, then, can I blaspheme my King, who saved me?”.  From there, records indicate he was heard singing praises to the Son of God while being burned alive.  It seems Polycarp truly took the words of Jesus to heart, not fearing what he was suffering, and being faithful to the point of death.

It’s hard to imagine even a fraction of the persecution that was experienced in Biblical times, living in modern day America. Even harder, we know that both social and physical persecution still exists around the world today. In a recent report from Open Doors (link below), it is estimated that 1 in 7, or 365 million, Christians worldwide faced persecution in 2023.  Of those numbers, roughly 5,000 murders are recorded to be directly related to a person’s faith. Nearly 15,000 churches or Christian properties were attacked. From these reports, it has been determined that North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian.  Despite this, Christianity continues to be the highest category across the global population, AND is projected to continue to grow even higher based on current trends.  Even with the affliction and suffering, Jesus continues to touch the lives of billions around the world. 

Smyrna was one of many churches to experience persecution, but because of their faith, they are considered rich and worthy of the victor’s crown.  This message of reward was not meant just for them, but is for everyone who has ears to hear what the Spirit says (v.11).  You will face trials in this life as a Christian, whether or not they may be as severe as others around the world.  Will you remain faithful?

Reflection Questions:

  • Have you ever imagined yourself in the place of a Christian around the world?  Contemplate how you would respond when faced with persecution.  Pray today for those that experience this on a daily basis. For more information, check out the “World Watch List” found here: https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/ 
  • In the passages in Jeremiah today, we see an example of God describing His restoration on earth, sharing the same promise that we also cling to in times of trials.  Reading those chapters, what verse sticks out to you as most encouraging when you consider the perfect restoration we will get to experience?
  • What ways can you hold fast to your faith when you experience suffering in this life? What has worked for you in the past?  How can you encourage and support a fellow believer who may be struggling right now?

-Sarah Johnson

sglcalendar2024Download

Dear Church in Ephesus – and You

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 27 – 29

POETRY: Psalm 119:25-32

NEW TESTAMENT: Revelation 2:1-7

Rev. 2:1-7 – Letter to Ephesus

Hello all!  Although the other material is just as wonderful, we will be taking a focused look on the Revelation passages, exploring the Letters to the Churches.  Let’s dive in!

Each letter has a general pattern of a greeting and introduction, praise for their behavior, a warning or correction, plus a reminder of what is to come (hint, it’s the Kingdom!)

For some context, the church in Ephesus was visited and established by Paul back in Acts 18 & 19. We know from these passages that the silversmith Demetrius, and his shrines or idols to the goddess Artemis, were popular opposers of the message of Jesus the Messiah.  From the book of Ephesians, we know that Paul believed the Ephesians loved all of God’s people, but still needed guidance on how to daily live out the Christian walk.  Knowing this can impact how we read the letter John transcribed to them in Revelation 2, and how we can take that message and apply it to our own churches and lives.

After greeting the church in Ephesus, through John, Jesus writes to the church of Ephesus and commends them on their hard work, perseverance, and holding fast to doctrinal truths diligently (v.2-3).  But their correction is that they have forsaken the love they had at first (v.4).  Some people debate the exact meaning this has, but personally, when paired with the information we have from Paul’s writing, I believe this means they have lost the love they had for God’s people. 

Back in Paul’s time, they were a church in the middle of a dark, secular, perverse community.  Yet, they were growing and evangelizing in a way that was drawing people away from worshiping other gods, and bringing them to repentance.  Clearly they were doing something right at this time to be so appealing to people in such a community, so much so that those trying to make a profit off of sinful practices started a riot!  And THAT is what I believe they lost.  

This church seems to have swung the pendulum to the side of practicing truth without love.  While we can only speculate, I do think this likely looked like church leaders who were so focused on ensuring their church stood out from the worldly crowds, they lost the compassion for those outside of their own doors.  They lost the zeal and vigor for spreading the gospel, and became too heavily focused on trying to maintain the doctrinal ‘purity’ they had built.  

Notice how Jesus doesn’t say in these verses they should stop holding fast to those important practices, but rather they should do them in combination with what they did at first, loving others in their community so well that they were attracted to the church.  In fact, right after this reminder, he even says that he appreciates that they hate the same detestable practices he does!  Jesus was never saying to disregard the importance of true and accurate teaching of the Gospel message.  But he was challenging a church who had been a beacon of light to their community, to remember how they felt in those early days when they received the Holy Spirit, and go back to the same energy and passion for the people they were surrounded by.

Well-established churches or believers, especially those who hold tightly to doctrinal truths, must be on guard for this same loss of love in their own communities and hearts.  Not compromising on the biblical truths they hold, but never losing sight of the greatest commandment, to LOVE one another.  We all may have a bit more Ephesus in us than we think… which isn’t always a bad thing, but is something we must be cognizant of to make sure we are still remembering the love we must show, in order to have the opportunity to experience the “paradise of God” (v.7).

Reflection Questions:

  • Consider yourself and your church, have you lost your first love?  If you have, what steps can you take to revitalize that passion?  
  • Think of someone you care about deeply.  Have you shared the truth of Jesus Christ with them in a loving way?  If not, how can you start that conversation?
  • Reread Psalms 119:29-32 from today’s reading.  Clearly we see throughout all Scripture the importance of holding fast to God’s commands, just like the church in Ephesus.  Are you truly “setting your heart” on God’s laws as in these Psalms verses?

-Sarah (Blanchard) Johnson

sglcalendar2024Download

Contemplation – Take it to Heart

OLD TESTAMENT: Jeremiah 24-26

POETRY: Psalm 119:17-24

NEW TESTAMENT: Revelation 1

Revelation is a tricky book. I will admit that I struggle with it, as I’m sure others do. When meditating on this passage I actually sat down and tried to put myself in John’s place. He is receiving one intense vision, full of important messages, all of which he might not fully comprehend in his time. 

This devotion is less of a devotion today and more of an invitation to join me in a practice of contemplation. 

John introduces himself and tells the reader what he is writing and why he’s writing it. And the first part of this great message is actually a collection of letters to the seven great churches of the time. 

Now these letters are laid out in chapters 2 and 3. However, I’m not actually going into those so I feel like I’m within my realm of Revelation 1 for this little exercise! 

Join me, if you will, in constructing a letter to yourself and/or your church, written by Christ. This can be either written or mental. This devotion will primarily be reflection questions to give you some things to contemplate. 

Reflection: 

Take a few minutes with each of these questions to pray and evaluate: 

Christ, seated at God’s side, knows your deeds. In looking at your current habits and practices, what does he lift up? What is he pleased with? Pray over these things and ask God to continue to help you to grow. Thank him for allowing you the circumstances that allow you to minister and please him. Thank him for the blessings he has given you. 

What about in your church body? What does your church do well in God’s eyes? Pray over your church family now, thanking God for individuals that serve alongside you in the church body. Thank God for the blessings he has given your church family. 

Now, what practices in your life are not pleasing? What do you struggle to turn away from? How would Christ address those? How would he advise you to take action? Pray over these, and ask for strength and guidance in those areas. Pray for mercy and forgiveness. 

Are there practices within your home church that Christ would not be pleased with? Are there attitudes that need changing? Does your own attitude need adjustment? How would Jesus address your church in this regard? How would he encourage you to correct these behaviors and thoughts? Pray now over your church family. Pray for forgiveness and mercy. Pray that God will show you a way in which you can help be a positive force of change in your church body. 

Dear father, I’m so thankful for my fellow believers in churches all over the world. I pray that we would be pleasing to you. I pray that we are able to seek out what we are doing wrong and right ourselves. Please show us the way and also show us great mercy. Thank you for the sacrifice that was made so that we could one day see Christ’s return and see your kingdom established forever here on a perfect earth. Grant us all guidance and strength until we see that great day. In your son’s name I pray, Amen.    – Jenn Haynes

sglcalendar2024Download

New!

Sunday, December 31, 2023, New Years Eve

Theme Week – Celebrating Jesus: Revelation 21

Old Testament: Malachi 3 & 4

Poetry: Psalm 150

            Here we are, the last day of 2023.  We’ve come to the end of the year.  We’ve also come to the end of this eight day focus on the life of Jesus.  We started with the announcement that he was to be born, then his birth announcement, his escape to Egypt, his new beginning in Nazareth, his baptism and testing, his ministry, his death, this resurrection, his ascension to heaven and now we’ve reached the end.  Revelation 21 is a picture of what the future will be after all of the other prophecies surrounding the end of this age and the return of Jesus to reign are completed.    I’m going to insert one passage from 1 Corinthians 15 to help transition us to Revelation 21.

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-24).

Paul here gives the basic outline: Christ died and became alive again.  When he comes again those who belong to Christ will, in the same way become alive again, never more to die.  Jesus will reign for a time, Revelation 20 says it will be 1000 year or a millennium, and at the end of that time there will be a final judgment and all of the powers which opposed God since the beginning will finally be destroyed, at which time Jesus will hand over the kingdom to God himself who will come and reign over us in person.

Today’s reading in Revelation 21 shows what will happen after Jesus hands over the kingdom to God.  God sets up his kingdom on earth, in what Revelation calls the New Jerusalem (it’s much larger than the present city of Jerusalem).

This brings the Bible full circle.  In Genesis 1-3 when God first created the earth, he came to the Garden of Eden to visit with Adam and Eve in person.  After they sinned and were cast out of the garden, they were separated from God.  They could no longer dwell in the presence of God.  God made provision for his people through various tabernacles and temples that would have a very holy place where the glory of God would come and where a representative of the people, the high priest would come once a year.  But God’s presence was always mediated by other forms- a burning bush, an angel, pillar of fire or pillar of cloud.  Now, in Revelation 21, God is back fully on earth with his people, in an unmediated direct way.  There’s no need for a temple now, for everyone who is there has been made holy by the blood of Jesus which has cleansed them from their sins.  They are immortal and sinless.  There will be no more death or pain or brokenness.  The Lord God announces, “I am making everything new.”

Tomorrow begins a new year, 2024.  My best guess is, not much will change in the world. Yes, you’ll need a new calendar.  People might have a new insurance plan.  But there will still be sickness, there will still be wars, people will still be snarky on social media and the Democrats and Republicans will continue to fight.  And people will still die.  That’s not going to change until Jesus returns and puts a final nail in the coffin of evil in this world.  This passage gives us a hopeful picture of what the world will be like after that happens, when God comes to live with us, when the final enemy of death will be destroyed and God makes all things new.

The world will be the same tomorrow, but you can be made new.  If you put your full faith and trust in Jesus and follow him, he will make you new.    2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”.  Will you choose to be in Christ, will you be made new?  Happy new year and happy new you!

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. How would you describe Revelation 21 to someone who has never read it before? What do you find most exciting about the New Heaven and the New Earth and New Jerusalem? 
  2. Have you chosen to be in Christ? How does life in Christ create a new creation?
  3. Through your Bible reading what have you learned about God and His Son Jesus in 2023? How can what you learned change you? How can you put this knowledge to use in 2024? Who needs to know what you know? Thank God for revealing Himself to you through His holy Scriptures. 

Watch for the NEW 2024 SeekGrowLove Bible reading plan to be revealed later today! 

sgl23bibleplanDownload

Paradise

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37 & 38

Poetry: Psalm 107

New Testament: Revelation 22

     Revelation 22 begins with a few more verses describing New Jerusalem, a topic which began in chapter 21. It is full of life. I go back and forth on how to visualize this from the details we have. The city is described with one street, paved in gold like glass. The street leads to the throne of God and Christ – it is the most important destination. Perhaps the street spirals up to them, and the clarity of the gold helps the light from the throne reach everywhere. The river of the water of life passes down the center of the street, and the tree of life is on either side (v. 2). So perhaps the water goes through a tunnel carved in the thick trunk of the tree of life, which has grown quite large since being transplanted from the Garden of Eden. The design does not concern me greatly, the key is the offer of life and blessings. This is a place of contentment and worship – it has no temple because it needs none, all within it are constantly in the presence of God and Christ, bathed in their glory.

     Rather than design, I am interested in the idea that things have, at last, moved beyond the stage where God considers them “very good” (Genesis 1:31). After each of the first five days of creation God declared the work “good”; after day six it was “very good” – notably with the addition of humans. It may be that things didn’t remain at “very good” for long before they slid into distress and pain due to the addition of sin, but that isn’t the point in this chapter. God has restored matters. The curse is gone! But I think God more than restored things and passed “very good” to “perfect.” I suspect the needed element for that to take place involves free will – God would not force Adam and Eve to love and accept Him, it was to be our choice if we would seek companionship with Him.

     Well, talking about this sort of thing with God can wait, and by the time we enter those kinds of conversations with God we will be better equipped to do so. For now, we know the challenges we face, and the Spirit we have been entrusted with to face them. Let us continue toward the paradise God has planned for us.

     The Greek word for “paradise,” by the way (Luke 23:43; Revelation 2:7), from which we get our English word “paradise,” comes from a Persian word for a pleasure garden. It seems like we are striving to get back to a garden, where we could eat from the tree of life and perhaps even walk with God.

     With understanding and acceptance of each other.

     Loving and loved.

     Forever.

     These are goals worth having.

     Lord, the book says a blessing is on those who read and hear the words of this prophecy and heed the things written in it, for the time is near. Help us be attentive to these words, and all that you direct for our lives. Thank you for the gift of your words. Do not let us be drawn astray from you, your message, or your work. You are a gracious God. In Jesus’ name I pray to you, Amen.

-Daniel Smead

Reflection Questions

  1. We are repeatedly told there will be no night in the time of the New Jerusalem – what do you associate with night that you will be pleased to have end?
  2. How do you find the curse affecting your life this week? How is knowing Jesus, and believers, helping you to deal with the curse now?
  3. Looking back over Revelation, what directions stand out to you for your life? How is it going? Do you think you should call on someone to help you be accountable for what you feel called to do?
sgl23bibleplanDownload

A Glimpse of Coming Glory

Old Testament: Ezekiel 35 & 36

Poetry: Psalm 106

New Testament: Revelation 21

     In Revelation 21 we have come to the climax of events. In the Garden of Eden God set out to undo the separation between Himself and us, and that goal is at last complete. Humans may have been short sighted during history and at times tied themselves in knots over other issues, but God wanted to return to our sides. With “the first things” passed away there will be no more pain. Evil is removed from the scene and God is changing the universe, making everything new. He intends to freely give the water of life to those who overcome (John 4:14).

     God lists some of those who will not receive what He offers, addressing several issues that were raised in the book, murder, sorcery, idolatry – but it begins with the cowardly (v. 8). I wonder if that is directed at early readers, facing persecution in the Roman Empire and possibly hesitant to commit. But it extends to later readers, who might question if they wish to stand up for Jesus’ name and his authority and risk conflict, or if it would be simpler and safer not to, even to appear to be unsaved. Some of God’s servants, like Gideon, were called to serve while not eager to act on their own. That may seem to give a basis for seeing hiding as credible. But I think God chose from the reluctant to make a point, and to stir the hearts of others. And those were not Christ’s disciples, already gifted with the Spirit. He expects something else from us. Not that I am saying we are to be abrasive and offensive in an eagerness to act, there are proper and wise moments and ways to stand up, and we are not always the right people to do so in a situation. Like I said, the appearance of that word first in the list strikes me. It convicts me, all too often, of taking an easier route. But I work for Jesus, and I’ve never heard of anyone braver than him. I leave it to you how it makes you feel. 

     John is taken to a tall mountain by an angel to see “the bride, the wife of the Lamb” and arrives at “the holy city, Jerusalem” (v. 9, 10). It is reminiscent of Ezekiel being shown the new temple, which was on a mountain (Ezekiel 40). I have taught about Revelation 21 numerous times. I have considered taping a cardboard mockup on a globe of the world to show the size of New Jerusalem. I didn’t end up attaching it, and I wasn’t sure if it should be a cube or a ziggurat, or a pyramid (we are told its base is square, and the height). Just describing my idea to the students got the gist across. New Jerusalem is large.

     Earth’s breathable atmosphere extends out for about eleven miles at the equator. Perhaps you have heard the idea about being able to see the Great Wall of China from orbit. You can’t. You could bump into New Jerusalem in orbit. We aren’t totally sure of the size of the city, it depends on how you understand twelve thousand stadia, the 1995 NASB says 1,380 miles and some other versions say 1,500 miles. The International Space Station orbits about 250 miles from Earth. The Hubble telescope is 340 miles out. The upper range of what are known as “low Earth orbit” satellites is 1,243 miles, so the city would tower above all of them, if they were still around. (Which they won’t be.) But the geostationary satellites are much further out, at 22,236 miles. And the Moon is 238,900 miles away, which is nowhere near it. Speaking of the Moon, it has a diameter of 2,159 miles. Earth is 7,917.5 miles in diameter. Under the smaller estimate for the city (1,380 miles) it is 15.69% of the width of Earth, and my cardboard mockup needed to be 1.88 inches wide for a standard 12-inch globe.

     We are told that with God’s new heaven and new Earth there is no longer a sea (v. 1). If that refers to the Mediterranean Sea it seems like a necessary removal, to give New Jerusalem ground space to fit. If it was centered on the location of Jerusalem it would extend about halfway through Greece, assuming it was aligned square with the equator. It also couldn’t be flat on the bottom since the Earth curves, which matters at this size.

     I think this raises some questions. When God replaces the Earth, will it be the same size as the old one? What is being described here sounds like God planned on expansion. The millennium just took place, a thousand years without plagues, famine, and war. It didn’t start off with very many mortal people, but I think the population had a good opportunity for growth. It may be that the number saved during human history leading up to Christ’s return will be just a fraction of those who will ultimately be saved, guided in part by the priests we are being prepared to be. Oh, may it be so.

     My questions are skipping over a rather obvious point. The angel who volunteers to show New Jerusalem to John does so under the description of “the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (v. 9). It isn’t clear to me whether that is because the bride (the population) is inside the city, or because the city is simply a symbol of those who have been accepted as Christ’s bride. The names inscribed on it, of the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles, may not simply be honoring those figures but symbolizing all who came from the lineage of those figures. Consider the description of its size and splendor, and the statements that none with bad character will enter. It says that God and the Lamb provide it with temple and light and lamp. All of this fits the idea that New Jerusalem is the people of God. Now, perhaps the language here presents people and city in another of the Bible’s double fulfillments and both cases are true. Whatever God intends it will be wonderful, and the beautiful description given in this chapter leaves me in awe and anticipation. I say, rejoice in your Lord!

     Thank you, Father, for giving us this glimpse of the glory that lies ahead. Thank you for your commitment to us, that you did not give up on the work of Your hands, but took such care and effort to restore what had been damaged. Please help us to value what you value, to seek what you desire. There are so many lost sheep, so many hurting hearts, that you desire to be blessed by the love of your son. Please shape me into who you desire me to be, until I am complete. Thank you, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

-Daniel Smead

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God’s commitment to fixing what was broken tell you about Him? What does it say about how God sees us?
  2. What are some of the “first things” that will have passed away when the events of Revelation 21 have come to be?
  3. If (when) you are tempted to hide, what helps you overcome that temptation and stand up?
sgl23bibleplanDownload

Judgment: The Positive and The Negative

Old Testament: Ezekiel 33 & 34

Poetry: Psalm 105

New Testament: Revelation 20

     Revelation 20 involves God’s judgment, and it may make sense to put 19:20-21 in your mental image of the passage so the beast, the false prophet and their armies are in there. Verse ten reiterates the judgment of the beast and the false prophet, pairing them with the devil they had served. I see the passage with alternating sections of negative and positive references to judgment (19:20–20:3, 7-10, 15) and (20:4-6; 11-14). Grouped this way the text has every use of “lake of fire” (a different phrase appears in 21:8).

     After 19:20-21 establishes the punishment of those who served the dragon, chapter 20 opens with very satisfying language about the serpent not being able to deceive the nations. He is chained and sealed away for a thousand years.

     The description of the saints’ resurrection which follows in verses four to six may seem notably out of sequence. The first resurrection takes place at the last trumpet, in the twinkling of an eye (meaning in the time it takes to blink; 1 Corinthians 15:52). At Christ’s return the dead in Christ rise first, at the sound of the trumpet, and his servants who remain alive rise to meet him just afterward (1 Thessalonians 4:14‑17). That happens before Jesus fights the armies of the antichrist. It seems that the first resurrection was skipped over in Revelation 19. It also seems questionable for there to be an evaluation of the martyrs like is described in the vision. God knows all about them – they are raised because of who they are. It seems that the evaluation was described just for the sake of the vision, and what this passage presents as “judgment” clearly would need to be a fully positive judgment.

     Recognizing all of that, I think God wanted this text here, after a description of what happened to the devil. It contrasts what happened with those who accepted the mark of the beast (dead) and the leaders of the conspiracy (burning) and the one who inspired that conspiracy (imprisoned for a thousand years) to those who stood firm against it (they come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years). Considering what these martyrs suffered, God wants to emphasize their acceptance and glorification, although that called for it being addressed out of sequence.

     In verses seven to nine Satan is again free, for a short time. Perhaps this represents a winnowing of the nations before God makes the next big change in the status of earth. Satan again deceives the nations who are willing to be deceived and assembles them for judgment (even if he doesn’t understand that is what he is doing). And this time judgment comes on him as well. God is closing out the books, after this there won’t be anyone else around able to be tempted. God could have left this entire story unmentioned, but He wanted us to know this part of the future, to be aware that our enemy will be permanently dealt with. (Not that Genesis 3:15 didn’t already indicate it.)

     I like the imagery in verse 11, as though perhaps God’s majesty surges up, and all that is nearby is not holy enough to remain. “Earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them” (v. 11). We continue to be reminded that this is a vision, as the lake of fire is still present for the later part of the vision and did not flee away. Maybe this is looking toward the next part of the story, that God is in the process of replacing heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:12). The description of death and Hades being thrown into the lake of fire is very positive (v. 14), but also serves as another reminder that we are reading about a vision (as it is hard to figure how John knew this happened except by being made aware of it).

     Elements of both the positive judgment scenes (v. 4-6, 11-14) can be found in Daniel 7:9ff, with the thrones, the books, and the fire, but they are mixed. It is a common statement that prophets of the Old Testament saw future events like we might see a distant mountain range, unable to tell very well how large a valley was between the peaks. Events from Christ’s first coming and second coming could be discussed right next to each other in a passage. With Daniel 7, making distinctions relevant to the existence of multiple resurrections wasn’t purposeful. And with Revelation John could not see and appreciate all the things happening in fully accurate order.

     I questioned whether to think of the judgment in Revelation 20:11-15 as neutral, or to break it between a positive first four verses and a ‘negative’ verse 15, because it raises the idea of someone’s name not being found in the book of life. It is interesting to think that verse 15 involves a resurrection too late in history to be relevant for the reader and so may not be intended as a warning for us. But I suppose it will be a warning to people during the millennium.

     Lord, your judgments are true. Thank you for offering your mercy. Please open my heart to accept your gracious offer, for myself, and for others. Don’t allow me to remain burdened with the past. Don’t let me be held back by refusing to forgive. Lord, let me listen so well to you now that I will not be deceived by the evil one or accept any of his lies. Let me seek your truth, and love it. In the name of your beloved son, Amen.

-Daniel Smead

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you think it will be like for people in the millennium to read the Bible?
  2. How does it make you feel to think that God is eager to praise those who have faithfully served Christ?
  3. The text refers to “priests of God and of Christ” who will “reign with Him for a thousand years” (v. 6) – have you given much thought to what that might involve?
sgl23bibleplanDownload

She Falls

Old Testament: Ezekiel 29 & 30

Poetry: Psalm 103

New Testament: Revelation 18

     Revelation 18 pictures the shock of those who supported and gained from the success of Babylon the great, and then see it destroyed. As others have said, true wealth is found only in Christ, so those who tried to gain from corrupting themselves with Babylon did so at the cost of their lives (Matthew 16:26). When the voice from heaven warns to come out of Babylon it isn’t just about leaving before the city falls if you happen to be there, but to avoid contamination with its practices lest we fall as well (compare 2 Corinthians 6:17).

     It is again difficult to decide whether some details in the chapter were meant literally. Does Babylon engage in sorcery, or does that express its evil influence on those caught up with it? Which of the trade goods listed are we to think Babylon truly receives – the list wasn’t going to include modern luxury items, but is it just trying to give the feel of wealth based on first century items? Is it in the slave trade, or does it wreck people’s characters? Some will ask if Babylon is a port city at all, or a system with a global reach. Is Babylon destroyed and burned in a single hour, or does it just suffer a rapid fall? (In Revelation 17:12 we were told that the ten kings shared their power with the Beast for one hour, so we may have a reason to see this time reference as metaphorical. Contrast for example the effort taken in the text to show that three and a half years / 42 months / 1260 days is a precise figure.) That last point would be simple to explain in our modern society, however, as a collapse after a single hour which leaves fire behind could refer to a nuclear attack.

     You might hear part of this chapter and think you were in the Old Testament (for example you could compare Ezekiel 27). There is that feel to it. You could imagine Jonah saying these things about Nineveh. It’s all from the same God. Sometimes God gets to show mercy, but when judgment is called for God does not hold back. In fact, after recounting the despair of the kings and merchants and sailors who sinned with Babylon, the chapter calls on God’s servants to rejoice in what has come about. In Revelation 18:21 a strong angel announces Babylon’s permanent fall and punctuates the point by throwing “a stone like a great millstone” into the sea. Jeremiah never went to Babylon, but he sent a scroll there with Seraiah describing the fate of the city and told him to read it aloud, and then tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates (Jeremiah 51:63). The judgment of God was being left to sink to the bottom, like the city would sink. As I said, we are reading words in a familiar style.

     I’ve long been struck by cases where God set up instructions that don’t seem to have end conditions. How long was the Garden of Eden guarded by an angel with a flaming sword (Genesis 3:24)? Perhaps it was until the flood of Noah’s day destroyed it, or it could have all withered away first. And while the millennium brings grace across the world, will the former site of Babylon the great sit as a blighted patch reminding people of old evils? That may be its fate. As the angel said, no more will the sounds of music, work or happiness be found in her. But then “in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.” It seems like Babylon the great is worthy of the treatment it receives. We would do well to learn its lesson in advance and turn our backs on all its ways and put our hearts fully toward that other city (the one with foundations; Hebrews 11:10).

     Lord, thank you for sanctifying us by the Spirit and faith in the truth. Thank you for teaching us to take pleasure in righteousness. Thank you for disciplining us for our good, so that we may share in your holiness. Thank you for giving us sound words through your servants. Please help us to listen, and to reflect on what you have said. Help us to grow in your will. And in everything we do, in word or deed, may we do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Through him we give thanks to you, dear God. Amen.

-Daniel Smead

Reflection Questions

1.  When you envision God, do you see God as preferring to show mercy or to give judgment?

2.  What do you find yourself most valuing about your life as a Christian?

3.  What do you most look forward to in your future as a Christian?

4.  What do you most appreciate being able to share with others as a Christian?

sgl23bibleplanDownload